How 11 Moms Are Teaching Their Kids About Love And Respect After Charlottesville

Following the violent rallies in Charlottesville, Virginia over the weekend, thousands of people across the United States took to the streets to protest white supremacy. And around the nation, vigils were held to honor Heather Heyer, who was killed on Saturday while protesting white nationalists in Charlottesville.

At the gatherings that followed these horrific events, people held signs that voiced their opposition to the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazis, shared their belief that Black Lives Matter, and called for a more peaceful world. People were determined to spread love to combat the extreme hatred that took place in Virginia the day before.

"I am emotionally exhausted today. I woke up scared and confused and not knowing what to do or what to tell my kids," Atlanta, Georgia resident Jen Bhagia wrote on Instagram. But rather than try to shield them from the tragedy, Bhagia, along with a number of other mothers decided to attend various rallies, protests, and vigils with their children in tow (some even brought infants!).

The reason: To teach their kids not only about their right to protest and assemble, but also that all people—regardless of the color of their skin, religion, sexuality, gender, or any other differentiating factor—should be treated equally and with respect.

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"What will you pass on to your children?" one mother, Betsy DeCruz wrote on Instagram. "I will pass on to mine the values of love, respect for others, and willingness to put our brother before ourselves." Here, 11 strong moms from around the country demonstrate the importance of spreading love and taking a stand.

1. "I must speak up."

Betsy DeCruz wrote on Instagram, "I want my children to inherit a country where diversity is a gift and blessing from our creative God, where we work together for a better future."

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3. No hate

Hannah DeSilva showed off her daughter's message about spreading love this weekend.

Watch these moms talk about how their daughters changed their lives:

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4. Spreading kindness

Moms Demand Action members brought out their kids to protests in Arlington, Virginia. One Twitter user posted a photo of two boys at the event, appropriately wearing shirts that said, "Be nice to each other, it's all that really matters."

8. United We Stand

"I brought my daughter, Alahna, to the vigil, to instill at a young age the importance of loving everyone as human beings regardless of age, gender or race," Kristin Kotinek told Women's Health. "It's important our youth learn early on that we are one and we must stand united against bullying and hatred—in and out of school. She is the future and our future needs more tolerance and love!"

9. A New Perspective

"I am emotionally exhausted today. I woke up scared and confused and not knowing what to do or what to tell my kids," Jen Bhagia, who took her two children to a rally in Atlanta, wrote on Instagram. "I wasn't going to go to the rally. But I have amazing people in my community that remind me I have a voice, I'm not alone, and that my voice & my body being present can motivate others. We only stayed for a short while but Cam has a new perspective and LBG loves to yell, make signs and march in the street. All in all, a win/win."

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